Do you want to dig into a garden plot of your own, but don’t know where to start? Come expand your field of knowledge about our desert soil, learn how to select season appropriate plants and how to nurture your garden organically. Leslie will put you on a path of success with her tips and tricks, detailed handouts and down-to-earth instructions. To get you fertile in no time – a free 1lb bag of earthworm castings is included!

About Leslie Honaker, Owner and Chief Happiness Officer of Lauren Brooks Life

How one girl on a mission to grow a tomato in the desert transformed her life from marketing maven to garden goddess.

I have known since the age of five that I would have dirt under my fingernails the rest of my life!

My gardening journey began in Connecticut at my cold, gray New England home with a 4×4 plot and a fistful of seeds. When my family moved to Arizona all the green thumb goodness went bad. Discouraged with multiple gardening failures under the hot searing sun, I gave up and focused on a corporate career in marketing, advertising and international event planning. A family came next. Then the desire to raise my sons around vegetables, herbs and flowers as well as grow a juicy tomato led me to discover the Maricopa County Master Gardening program and I gleefully became a Master Gardener!

The awakening began and I devoted 15 years as a Master Gardener volunteer, conference organizer, school garden advocate and 10 years as the co-founder/owner, of Garden Territory, an organic lifestyle store and education center at the Farm at South Mountain in Phoenix. I wrote Plant of the Week articles for the East Valley Tribune for three years, testified in Washington D.C. on how school gardens can transform a classroom and have been an inspirational speaker to shine a light on how anyone can transform their life to achieve bliss they didn’t think possible.

I love to teach on many topics – cooking, aromatherapy, décor and organic gardening as well as holding blissful lifestyle events and workshops. Leaving the traditional classroom style behind, I invite students to hands-on experiences combined with simple techniques. I’ve taught hundreds of students, teachers, and desert dwellers how to garden under our spectacular Sonoran sun! Transforming a student from frustrated to enlightened is the ultimate joy.

This glorious life journey has led me to open the doors to Lauren Brooks Life – a lifestyle business, online store and education center dedicated to helping others capture their bliss every day. I write, speak and offer real life experiences through workshops, travel, and curated products. Lauren Brooks Life is a place to find joy through gardening, cooking, travel, home and wellness. Where it will go and grow – I don’t know! But I can assure you it will be authentic and an exhilarating place to open yourself to a new ideas, options and ways to get on with the life you’ve meant to live. My wish is that through the connection you will rejoice in the sky above you, be grounded with the earth below you and find the fire within you.

I see you, I hear you and feel you! I’m on fire – let’s go! I hope to see you at one of my blissful lifestyle and organic gardening workshops at The Farm at South Mountain soon.

Life is Beauty Full, Leslie

FAQs

Where is this class held?

Classes will be held at Family, Friends, Fun area to the west of “The Shed” near the Farmer’s Garden. Check out the Map at the front of The Farm if you are not familiar with the grounds.

Where should I park?

Parking can get full early on weekends. The closest parking will be to the back of the property near Morning Glory and Botanica. If this lot is full there is a dirty lot just to the South as you are looping around the back parking lots its just to the south behind the South Grove.

What should I bring?

Wear comfortable walking shoes and clothes to get dirty in. Shading is limited so bring sunscreen if needed. Feel free to bring your camera to take pictures on the property before or after class. And Remember water, but please no outside food and beverages, as we have several options property.

Kids have fun on Veteran’s Day at hands-on Kids Cooking Class at the Farm at South Mountain, with local Phoenix cookbook author, Melanie A. Albert. Kids will harvest at the Learning Garden and have fun making their own home-made almond milk. They will create their own refreshing red, white, and blue smoothies and chia seed pudding with fruit and cashew cream topping. And, will have fun enjoying their smoothies and desserts with friends.

***Seating for Adults will be to the side of the “class room” Please do not disturb the instructor during the class.

This class is geared for kids ages 5 and up.

Meet the Chef!
Melanie A. Albert, intuitive cooking expert, author, and speaker, is Founder and CEO of Experience Nutrition Group, LLC, in Phoenix, Arizona and author of “A New View of Healthy Eating, Simple Intuitive Cooking with Real Whole Foods.” Melanie has been active in wellness, integrative medicine, and nutrition for over 15 years. She is a 2007 graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City, 2001 Integrative Medicine Fellow and 2003 Intuition Fellow of the Kaiser Institute, former marketing consultant for Weil Lifestyle, LLC / Andrew Weil, MD, current Holistic Nutrition instructor of Whole Foods Cooking and Conscious Eating at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, in Tempe, Arizona, and 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher. She received culinary training with the Rouxbe Cooking School Plant-Based Professional Cooking Certification. Experience Nutrition was an Official Health & Wellness Partner of the NFL Alumni Association in 2011. You can always find Melanie shopping at farmers’ markets, experimenting in the kitchen, or practicing yoga. Learn more at http://www.EXPNutrition.com

FAQs
Where is the class located?
Head to the back of the property (turning into The Farm from 32nd street) where you will arrive at a horse shoe parking lot. The Class will be held just west of the parking lot under the Ramada

Are there ID requirements or an age limit to enter the event?
Class is for Kids only! Adults please do not disturb the class by asking questions or offering additional help to children. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.
What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?
The Farm has parking at the end of the lane or across 32nd street.
What can/can’t I bring to the event?
Please wear shoes for walking and sunscreen if you need. Outside food, drink and coolers are not allowed at The Farm.
Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?
Please email classes (@) thefarmatsouthmountain.com with any questions.
Is my registration/ticket transferrable?
Tickets are non-refundable. Please email classes (@) thefarmatsouthmountain.com to discuss transfers at least 3 days in advance.

Join The Farm at South Mountain and Culinary Wellness Coach Candy Lesher for a one of a kind, hands-on cooking class to create a delicious dishes with simple culinary skills and fresh, organic ingredients.

During the class you’ll learn the fresh, healthy techniques to make not one but two of the BEST Burger Alternatives. First, the most delicious Black (tepary) Bean Burgers EVER (even the texture is enticing) topped with a dreamy chipotle topping! Next you’ll learn a Shrimp Burger TLF (To Live For) served alongside a shallot-cilantro sauce.

Once the class has created these dishes, you’ll enjoy eating at a community table while enjoying the surroundings of The Farm.

Come cook with us at The Farm at South Mountain! Limited Tickets available – Get yours quickly as they may run out!

Price: $45per person

About the Chef!

Chef, instructor, restaurateur, editor-in-chief of a food-focused magazine, Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame inductee, and producer/host of her own Telly-award-winning television show – are all part of Candy Lesher’s solid culinary background. A cancer survivor, she became a passionate advocate of nutritional wellness in the home kitchen; as a Culinary Wellness Coach she now helps clients transition to viable, healthier lifestyles by developing both their culinary skills and nutritional mindfulness.

Head to the back of the property (turning into The Farm form 32nd street) where you will arrive at the entrance to a horseshoe. Take a direct left past the white picket fence and park in the dirt lot. Class will be held at the Canopy (The White Tent in the South Grove).

Are there ID requirements or an age limit to enter the event?

Class agenda is geared for adults.

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?

The Farm has parking at the end of the lane or across 32nd street.

What can/can’t I bring to the event?

Please make sure you dress for the weather, wear shoes for walking and sunscreen if you need. Outside food, drink and coolers are not allowed at The Farm.

🔪This class is designed for the beginner and those looking to improve their knife skills.
🔪Demystify terms such as dice, brunoise, julienne and mince. Learn pointers for sharpening your knives and keeping them sharp.
🔪You’ll then take everything you honed your skills cutting and whip together a few evening snacks!
🔪Proper kitchen attire is required which includes: close toed shoes, long pants and long or short sleeve shirt. Please restrain hair while in the kitchen.
🔪 Cost: $19.99 for 1 or $29.99 for 2

Nothing tastes better than homemade bread right out of the oven, and freshly made cheese. While this may seem intimidating, Joe Cambria, the Flour Craftsman, will show you how easily these things can be prepared at home. He will first demonstrate how to make a seasonal bread, and then you will make your own. As your dough is rising, proofing, and baking, you will learn to make fresh cheeses such as mozzarella and ricotta. At the end of class, enjoy the bread and cheese with a glass of wine.

Meet the Chef!
Melanie A. Albert, intuitive cooking expert, author, and speaker, is Founder and CEO of Experience Nutrition Group, LLC, in Phoenix, Arizona and author of “A New View of Healthy Eating, Simple Intuitive Cooking with Real Whole Foods.” Melanie has been active in wellness, integrative medicine, and nutrition for over 15 years. She is a 2007 graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City, 2001 Integrative Medicine Fellow and 2003 Intuition Fellow of the Kaiser Institute, former marketing consultant for Weil Lifestyle, LLC / Andrew Weil, MD, current Holistic Nutrition instructor of Whole Foods Cooking and Conscious Eating at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, in Tempe, Arizona, and 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher. She received culinary training with the Rouxbe Cooking School Plant-Based Professional Cooking Certification. Experience Nutrition was an Official Health & Wellness Partner of the NFL Alumni Association in 2011. You can always find Melanie shopping at farmers’ markets, experimenting in the kitchen, or practicing yoga. Learn more at http://www.EXPNutrition.com

FAQs
Where is the class located?
Head to the back of the property (turning into The Farm form 32nd street) where you will arrive at the entrance to a horseshoe. Take a direct left past the white picket fence and park in the dirt lot. Class will be held at the Canopy (The White Tent in the South Grove).

Are there ID requirements or an age limit to enter the event?
Class agenda is geared for adults.
What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?
The Farm has parking at the end of the lane or across 32nd street.
What can/can’t I bring to the event?
Please wear shoes for walking and sunscreen if you need. Outside food, drink and coolers are not allowed at The Farm.
Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?
Please email classes (@) thefarmatsouthmountain.com with any questions.
Is my registration/ticket transferrable?
Tickets are non-refundable. Please email classes (@) thefarmatsouthmountain.com to discuss transfers at least 3 days in advance.

During this healthy Kids Cooking Class, kiddos will learn about fruit and veggies that are good for hydration and while having fun eating veggie pasta with new friends! Kids will have fun preparing colorful raw pasta at The Farm at South Mountain with local Phoenix cookbook author, Melanie A. Albert. The class will create their pasta by spiralizing organic veggies: sweet potato, golden beets, zucchini, and butternut squash. The kids will also learn how to make a smooth, cream cashew basil dressing and have fun creating their salad with fresh fruit and herbs. The pasta made at class is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and contains cashews.

***Seating for Adults will be to the side of the “class room” Please do not disturb the instructor during the class.

Learn how to cook produce from your CSA or farmers’ market with 3 simple culinary techniques and the skill of intuitive cooking led by Melanie Albert, Intuitive Cooking Expert and cookbook author of A New View of Healthy Eating.

Join The Farm at South Mountain and Melanie Albert for a unique, memorable hands-on cooking opportunity to create delicious dishes with simple culinary skills and fresh, spring, local organic ingredients.

During this cooking experience you will learn new ways to be creative with local farmers’ spring time veggies. You’ll learn 3 different culinary techniques (cold soup, bamboo steamer, stir-fry) and dishes from Melanie’s book, A New View of Healthy Eating.
Have fun learning how to cook veggies 3 different ways with the different culinary techniques, and intuitively create your own beautiful, tasty dishes. We will be preparing a refreshing cold cucumber soup, bamboo steamer greens veggies like broccoli with herbal finishing dressing, and fresh colorful spring veggie stir-fry. Once you intuitively create your dishes, you’ll enjoy mindfully eating your beautiful creations with community in the beauty of The Farm. After learning the simple ways of cooking in this class, you’ll have the skills to intuitively create healthy local dishes at home.

Meet the Chef!
Melanie A. Albert, intuitive cooking expert, author, and speaker, is Founder and CEO of Experience Nutrition Group, LLC, in Phoenix, Arizona and author of “A New View of Healthy Eating, Simple Intuitive Cooking with Real Whole Foods.” Melanie has been active in wellness, integrative medicine, and nutrition for over 15 years. She is a 2007 graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City, 2001 Integrative Medicine Fellow and 2003 Intuition Fellow of the Kaiser Institute, former marketing consultant for Weil Lifestyle, LLC / Andrew Weil, MD, current Holistic Nutrition instructor of Whole Foods Cooking and Conscious Eating at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, in Tempe, Arizona, and 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher. She received culinary training with the Rouxbe Cooking School Plant-Based Professional Cooking Certification. Experience Nutrition was an Official Health & Wellness Partner of the NFL Alumni Association in 2011. You can always find Melanie shopping at farmers’ markets, experimenting in the kitchen, or practicing yoga. Learn more at http://www.EXPNutrition.com

FAQs
Are there ID requirements or an age limit to enter the event?
All ages welcome, although the agenda is geared for adults.
What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?
The Farm has parking at the end of the lane or across 32nd street.
What can/can’t I bring to the event?
Please wear shoes for walking and sunscreen if you need. Outside food, drink and coolers are not allowed at The Farm.
Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?
Please email classes (@) thefarmatsouthmountain.com with any questions.
Is my registration/ticket transferrable?
Tickets are non-refundable. Please email classes (@) thefarmatsouthmountain.com to discuss transfers at least 3 days in advance.

This is the last kid’s cooking class for the season before The Farm takes a summer break!

Sat, May 6th, 2017
11:00am- 12:00pm
$25 per person+tax

Hands-on cooking class, just for kids. Fun cooking experience with Intuitive Cooking Expert and Author, Melanie Albert, at The Farm at South Mountain.

During the class, kids will enjoy making their own culinary creations with their favorite local, in-season farmers’ market veggies and fruit. The kids will learn how to make a salad by massaging kale and spiralizing veggies. They will have fun decorating their own plates and enjoy eating with new friends in the beauty of The Farm.

Meet the Chef!
Melanie A. Albert, intuitive cooking expert, author, and speaker, is Founder and CEO of Experience Nutrition Group, LLC, in Phoenix, Arizona and author of “A New View of Healthy Eating, Simple Intuitive Cooking with Real Whole Foods.” Melanie has been active in wellness, integrative medicine, and nutrition for over 15 years.
Melanie loves inspiring kids to enjoy food and has led hands-on cooking experiences with youth organizations since 2010 including The First Tee, Future for Kids non-profit, NBA Phoenix Suns / Mercury Kids Camps for 4,700 kids, Arizona Youth Sports Day, and The First Tee Western Region Meeting on Childhood Obesity.

FAQs
Are there ID requirements or an age limit to enter the event?
All ages welcome, although the agenda is geared for Childen, Adult may help younger children or watch from afar.
What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?
The Farm has parking at the end of the lane or across 32nd street.
What can/can’t I bring to the event?
Please wear shoes for walking and sunscreen if you need, as we will be outside
Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?
Please email classes (@) thefarmatsouthmountain.com with any questions.
Is my registration/ticket transferrable?
Tickets are non-refundable. Please email classes (@) thefarmatsouthmountain.com to discuss transfers.